PREFACE. -ix
, \ have recorded at some length my experiences of the
Indian Mutiny of 1857. No one who was in that terrible
storm can ever forget it; and the European inhabitants
of Benares at that time have special reason for thankiul-
ivess for their marvellous escape.
I have found it convenient to follow, as a rule, the
chronological order, but I have not kept closely to it.
When recording the more remote past, the nearer past
h<as been continually coming into view, and the contrast
has found expression.
Indian names are written as ordinary English readers
vtould pronounce them, in preference to using the
diacritical marks with which I have been long familiar in
the writing of Hindustanee in the Roman character. The
term " Hindu " is so established that I have used it in
preference to " Hindoo."
At the end of this book the reader will find statistics
ftaught with interest to all who wish to understand the
gireat Indian problem in its many aspects.
It is impossible to keep one's self out of view in a work
Uke this; but I hope the candid reader will give me
oredit for saying as little of myself, family, and doings
as is compatible with the conditions under which I have
written.
I beg to dedicate this book to the friends of Christian
tytrasions, in the hope it may increase the interest of some
?n that great Continent, with its teeming population, which
has in God's providence come under the rule of our land,
and has special claims on our prayers, sympathy, and
efforts. I cannot doubt - that my Indian friends, both
those, who have come back to England and those who
aare still in India, will give a kindly reception to the
Volume. They will, I believe, confirm the general accu-